Mallorca care waits fall: 6,131 still in the queue

An assessment for care needs took 192 days in August across the Balearics, but 6,131 people were still waiting. Disability assessments took eight months, with 8,950 people in the queue. The Balearic Government released the figures in Palma on 8 September.

The care-needs waiting list has dropped from 7,598 people in May 2023, while the disability queue has fallen by 32% over the same period. Family Minister Sandra Fernández said the improvement came despite a rise in applications.

More applications, more decisions

Applications for care-needs assessments climbed from 41,760 in May 2023 to more than 51,000 in August. Decisions rose from 38,000 to 50,000. The 192-day wait is down from 222 days and below the national average of 309 days.

For disability assessments, applications rose from 12,171 three years ago to 15,586. Decisions increased by 177%, from 5,239 to 14,492. The waiting time fell from 14 months last September to eight months in August.

Staff boost and six-month target

Fernández credited simpler procedures, an extra €17.5 million and more staff. The government created 24 posts in the Directorate General and 17 temporary posts for its action plan. It also brought in 23 assessors through an agreement with the Health Service and 14 through external contracts.

The government wants assessment waits to stay within six months before the end of the legislative term. It says care-needs assessments must fall by another 12 days and disability assessments by two months to meet that target.

Topics: Social affairs · Politics · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com